U.S. patent number 6,024,348 [Application Number 09/181,256] was granted by the patent office on 2000-02-15 for adjustable clamping stand for supporting automobile panels.
This patent grant is currently assigned to It's Dents or Us, Inc.. Invention is credited to James D. Jenkins, Winford D. McClain, George Ventura.
United States Patent |
6,024,348 |
Ventura , et al. |
February 15, 2000 |
Adjustable clamping stand for supporting automobile panels
Abstract
A stand for supporting an automobile body panel having a
peripheral edge for inspection and repair comprises two sets of
clamping members secured on opposite ends of two clamping
assemblies which are pivotally mounted to the top of a vertically
oriented telescoping support assembly. Each clamping member include
a clamp pad having a groove formed therein and adapted to receive a
peripheral edge of the automobile body panel to support the panel
during inspection and repair.
Inventors: |
Ventura; George (Shawnee,
KS), Jenkins; James D. (Lee's Summit, MO), McClain;
Winford D. (Raytown, MO) |
Assignee: |
It's Dents or Us, Inc.
(Overland Park, KS)
|
Family
ID: |
22663511 |
Appl.
No.: |
09/181,256 |
Filed: |
October 28, 1998 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
269/17; 269/104;
269/140; 269/58; 269/71; 269/909 |
Current CPC
Class: |
B05B
13/0285 (20130101); B25H 1/0007 (20130101); Y10S
269/909 (20130101) |
Current International
Class: |
B25H
1/00 (20060101); B05B 13/02 (20060101); B23Q
003/00 () |
Field of
Search: |
;269/58,59,71,104,111,140,141,145,149,210,270,905,909,45
;254/134,133R |
References Cited
[Referenced By]
U.S. Patent Documents
Primary Examiner: Eley; Timothy V.
Assistant Examiner: Halpern; Benjamin M.
Attorney, Agent or Firm: Litman, Kraai & Brown
L.L.C.
Claims
What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is as
follows:
1. A stand for supporting an automobile body panel having a
peripheral edge for inspection and repair, said stand
comprising:
(a) a base;
(b) a vertically oriented telescoping support assembly;
(c) a horizontally aligned sleeve connected to said vertically
oriented support assembly at an upper end thereof;
(d) a pivot shaft rotatably mounted within said sleeve;
(e) a first clamping assembly having a first fixed bar mounted to a
first end of said pivot shaft and further including first and
second sliding arms slidably secured to said first fixed bar on
opposite sides of said pivot shaft, and first and second opposed
clamping members mounted on distal ends of said first and second
sliding arms respectively; said first and second opposed clamping
members adapted to engage opposed peripheral edges of an automobile
body panel; and
(f) a second clamping assembly having a second fixed bar mounted to
a second end of said pivot shaft and further including third and
fourth sliding arms slidably secured to said second fixed bar on
opposite sides of said pivot shaft, and third and fourth opposed
clamping members mounted on distal ends of said third and fourth
sliding arms respectively; said third and fourth opposed clamping
members adapted to engage opposed peripheral edges of an automobile
body panel.
2. The stand as in claim 1 wherein:
(a) each of said first, second, third and fourth clamping members
comprises a clamp pad having a groove formed therein sized and
shaped to receive a peripheral edge of an automobile body
panel.
3. The stand as in claim 2 wherein:
(a) said clamp pads are formed from plastic.
4. The stand as in claim 1 further comprising:
(a) means for fixing the pivotal orientation of said pivot shaft
relative to said sleeve.
5. A stand for supporting an automobile body panel for inspection
and repair; said body panel having a peripheral edge; said stand
comprising:
(a) a base;
(b) a vertically oriented height adjustable support assembly
connected to said base;
(c) a pivot shaft rotatably mounted to said height adjustable
support assembly at an upper end thereof;
(d) a pair of length adjustable clamping assemblies mounted to said
pivot shaft on opposite sides thereof such that said clamping
assemblies are pivotal about a horizontal axis extending transverse
to a vertical axis of said height adjustable support assembly; said
clamping assemblies having opposed clamping members mounted on
distal ends of each of said length adjustable clamping assemblies;
said opposed clamping members adapted to engage opposed peripheral
edges of an automobile body panel.
6. The stand as in claim 5 wherein:
(a) each of said opposed clamping members comprises a clamp pad
having a groove formed therein sized and shaped to receive a
peripheral edge of an automobile body panel.
7. The stand as in claim 6 wherein:
(a) said clamp pads are formed from plastic.
8. The stand as in claim 5 further comprising:
(a) means for fixing the pivotal orientation of the clamping
assemblies.
9. A stand for supporting an automobile body panel for inspection
and repair; said body panel having a peripheral edge; said stand
comprising:
(a) a base;
(b) a vertically oriented height adjustable support assembly
connected to said base;
(c) a pivot assembly mounted to said height adjustable support
assembly at an upper end thereof;
(d) a pair of length adjustable clamping assembly mounted to said
pivot assembly on opposite sides thereof such that said clamping
assemblies are pivotal about a horizontal axis extending transverse
to a vertical axis of said height adjustable support assembly; each
of said clamping assemblies having a fixed member mounted to an end
of said pivot assembly, a first sliding arm slidably secured to
said fixed member, a first clamping member mounted proximate a
distal end of said first sliding member, and a second clamping
member mounted to said fixed member in opposed relationship to said
first clamping member opposed clamping members mounted on distal
ends of each of said length adjustable clamping assemblies; said
first and second opposed clamping members adapted to engage opposed
peripheral edges of an automobile body panel.
10. The stand as in claim 9 wherein:
(a) said second clamping member is slidably mounted to said fixed
member.
11. The stand as in claim 9 wherein:
(a) each of said opposed clamping members comprises a clamp pad
having a groove formed therein sized and shaped to receive a
peripheral edge of an automobile body panel.
12. The stand as in claim 11 wherein;
(a) said clamp pads are formed from plastic.
13. The stand as in claim 9 further comprising:
(a) means for fixing the pivotal orientation of the clamping
assemblies.
Description
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to a stand for supporting an
automobile body panel to facilitate repair or inspection.
The current practice for supporting automobile body panels during
repair is to simply place the panel on a table or work bench. Such
a work surface is inadequate in that it does not hold the body
panel in place against the forces exerted thereon during repair. In
addition, such work benches only support the body panel in a
horizontal plane, which often is not conducive for repairing a
particular area or spot on the body panel. There remains a need for
a stand for supporting an automobile body panel during repair which
will securely hold the body panel in place and which is adjustable
to vary the height and orientation at which the body panel is
supported to facilitate repair or inspection.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
A stand for supporting an automobile body panel having a peripheral
edge for inspection and repair, in which the stand includes two
sets of opposed clamping members each adapted to engage opposed
peripheral edges of an automobile body panel for supporting and
securing the automobile body panel. The stand includes a base which
may be supported on casters, a vertically oriented telescoping
support assembly; a horizontally aligned pivot assembly mounted to
an upper end of the vertically oriented telescoping support
assembly; and first and second clamping assemblies mounted on
opposite ends of the pivot assembly to which the opposed clamping
members are secured. The vertically oriented telescoping support
assembly permits the vertical position at which the body panel is
supported to be adjusted. The pivot assembly includes a mechanism
for selecting the angular orientation of a body panel supported on
the stand. The clamping members preferably comprises plastic blocks
with grooves formed therein which are sized and shaped to receive a
peripheral edge of almost any automobile body panel.
OBJECTS AND ADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
The objects of this invention include: providing a stand for
securely supporting an automobile body panel for repair and
inspection; providing such a stand which permits adjustment of the
height at which the body panel is supported; providing such a stand
which permits adjustment of the angular orientation at which the
body panel is supported; providing such a stand which is relatively
portable; providing such a stand which is adapted to support almost
any automobile body panel; providing such a stand which supports an
automobile body panel by engaging peripheral edges thereof;
providing such a stand which is relatively inexpensive to
manufacture; and providing such a stand which is particularly well
adapted for its intended uses thereof.
Other objects and advantages of this invention will become apparent
from the following description taken in conjunction with the
accompanying drawings wherein are set forth, by way of illustration
and example, certain embodiments of this invention.
The drawings constitute a part of this specification and include
exemplary embodiments of the present invention and illustrate
various objects and features thereof.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
FIG. 1 is a rear perspective view showing an automobile body panel
supported on an adjustable stand of the present invention.
FIG. 2 is an enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
along line 2--2 of FIG. 1.
FIG. 3 is an enlarged and fragmentary view of the stand as shown in
FIG. 1.
FIG. 4 is an enlarged and fragmentary side elevational view of the
stand with a clamping assembly thereof in a different orientation
than in FIG. 1 and with fragmentary lines to show adjustability
thereof.
FIG. 5 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 5--5 of
FIG. 4.
FIG. 6 is an enlarged cross-sectional view taken along line 6--6 of
FIG. 3.
FIG. 7 Is an enlarged and fragmentary cross-sectional view taken
along line 7--7 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 8 is an enlarged and fragmentary view taken generally along
line 8--8 of FIG. 4.
FIG. 9 is a fragmentary rear elevational view of an alternative
embodiment of the stand of the present invention showing a
variation of a clamping assembly.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are
disclosed herein; however, it is to be understood that the
disclosed embodiments are merely exemplary of the invention, which
may be embodied in various forms. Therefore, specific structural
and functional details disclosed herein are not to be interpreted
as limiting, but merely as a basis for the claims and as a
representative basis for teaching one skilled in the art to
variously employ the present invention in virtually any
appropriately detailed structure.
Referring to FIG. 1, the reference numeral 1 refers to an
automobile body panel support stand, having an automobile body
panel 2 secured thereto. The automobile body panel 2 shown
comprises a door panel but the stand 1 is adapted for securing a
wide variety of panels 2 thereto. Almost all automobile body panels
2 have edges, flanges or lips 4 of between 1/8 to 1/4 of an inch
thick extending outward from the outer periphery thereof.
The stand 1 comprises a base assembly 10, a vertically oriented
telescoping support assembly 11, pivot assembly 12 mounted on top
of the telescoping support assembly 11, and first and second
clamping assemblies 13 and 14 mounted on opposite sides of the
pivot assembly 12. The base assembly 10 includes a square frame 17.
Casters 18 are removably secured to the square frame 17 at the
corners. A base plate 20 is centrally mounted within the square
frame 17 on cross-members 21 and 22. A mounting collar 23 is welded
to the base plate 20 with its central axis extending
vertically.
The vertically oriented telescoping support assembly 11 comprises a
first or outer support tube 27 and a second or inner support tube
28. The outer support tube 27 is secured at a lower end within the
mounting collar 23 and extends vertically relative thereto. The
inner support tube 28 is slidingly secured within the outer support
tube 27 and slides vertically relative thereto. As best seen in
FIG. 5, a boss 29 is formed on the inner support tube 28 and
extends through an elongated guide slot 30 extending vertically
through the outer support tube 27. A U-shaped clamping bracket 32
is secured to the boss 29 by screw 33, with a relatively large,
easily grippable head 34. The screw 33 extends through aligned
threaded bores in the clamping bracket 32 and the boss 29. The boss
29 generally extends within a channel of the clamping bracket
formed between opposed legs 35 and 36. Tightening of the screw 33
pulls an outer surface of the boss 29 against an inner surface of
the U-shaped clamping bracket 32 in the channel thereof and drives
the legs 35 and 36 of the clamping bracket 32 against the outer
surface of outer support tube 27 thereby fixing the vertical
alignment of the outer and inner support tubes 27 and 28. Loosening
of the screw 33 advances the clamping bracket 32 away from the boss
29 and permits vertical telescoping of the outer and inner support
tubes 27 and 28.
The pivot assembly 12 comprises an outer cylindrical sleeve 40 and
a pivotal support shaft 41 rotatably mounted within the outer
sleeve 40. The outer sleeve 40 is welded to the top of the inner
support tube 28 perpendicular thereto. The first and second
clamping assemblies 13 and 14 are mounted on opposite ends of the
pivotal support shaft 41.
A slotted collar 43 is welded to the pivotal support shaft 41
adjacent a first end of the outer sleeve 40. A second collar 44 is
welded to the pivotal support shaft 41 adjacent a second end of the
outer sleeve 40. The slotted collar 43 and the second collar 44
prevent the pivotal support shaft 41 from sliding horizontally
relative to the outer sleeve 40.
Three slots 45, 46 and 47 extend into the slotted collar 43 from
the outer periphery thereof. The slots 45, 46 and 47 as shown are
spaced apart at 45 degree intervals. A latch 48 is pivotally
mounted on top of the outer sleeve 40. The latch 48 is sized and
shaped such that a portion of the latch 48 may be advanced into one
of the slots 45, 46 or 47 when the shaft 41 is rotated such that
slot 45, 46 or 47 extends vertically. Advancement of the latch 48
into one of the slots 45, 46 or 47 prevents further rotation of the
shaft 41, until the latch 48 is pivotally advanced out of the slot
45, 46 or 47.
Each clamping assembly 13 and 14 comprises a fixed bar 51 and first
and second sliding arms 52 and 53 slidingly secured to the fixed
bar 51. The fixed bar 51 is welded medially and on an inner surface
thereof to an end of the pivotal support shaft 41. The first and
second sliding arms 52 and 53 are slidingly secured to the outer
surface of the fixed bar and on opposite ends thereof relative to
the point of securement of the fixed bar 51 to the pivotal support
shaft 41.
As best seen in FIGS. 4 and 7, each sliding arm 52 and 53 is
secured to the fixed bar 51 by bolt 55, with an enlarged, easily
grippable head 56. The bolt 55 extends through an elongated guide
slot 58 in the sliding arm 52 or 53, through a bore 59 in the fixed
bar 51 and into a nut 60 welded to the inner surface of the fixed
bar 51 in alignment with the bore 59. Tightening down of the bolt
55 relative to the respective sliding arm 52 or 53 presses the arm
52 or 53 against the fixed bar 51 to prevent further sliding
movement relative thereto until the bolt 55 is loosened.
Elongated guide posts 62 are secured on the outer surface of the
fixed bar 51 so as to extend into the guide slots 58 of the sliding
arms 52 and 53. The guide posts 62 prevent the sliding arms 52 and
53 from pivoting about the bolts 55 and ensure that the sliding
arms 52 and 53 slide in axial alignment relative to the fixed bar
51.
Clamping members 65 are secured to the end of each of the sliding
arms 52 and 53. The clamping members 65 comprise a support plate 68
and a clamp pad 69. A support plate 68 is secured to the distal end
of each of the sliding arms 52 and 53 and extends perpendicular
thereto. A clamp pad 69 is secured on an inner face of each support
plate 68 such that the clamp pads 69 on each clamping assembly 13
and 14 face each other and the clamp pads 69 are spaced above or
outward from the fixed bar 51 and sliding arms 52 and 53
thereof.
More specifically, when the pivot assembly 12 is oriented such that
the latch 48 extends into middle slot 46, the fixed bars 51 and the
sliding arms 52 and 53 of each clamping assembly 13 and 14
generally extend horizontally and the support plates 68 extend
vertically such that the clamp pads 69 are spaced above the fixed
bars 51 and sliding arms 52 and 53 of the clamping assemblies 13
and 14.
The clamp pads 69 are formed from blocks of relatively hard
plastic, such as nylon blocks, bolted to the support plates 68 and
having grooves 75 machined therein. The grooves 75 are sized and
shaped to receive edges 4 of an automobile body panel 2. Opposed
edges 4 of an automobile body panel 2 may be supported in the
grooves 75 of opposed clamp pads 69 of the clamping assemblies 13
and 14 to support the automobile body panel 2 on the stand 1. The
location and shape of the grooves 75 on clamp pads 69 may be varied
to accommodate differently shaped body panels 2 and different
configurations of edges 4. However, placement of a groove 75 so as
to extend completely across the face of the clamp pad 69 proximate
a distal end thereof will generally accommodate most body panels 2.
The clamp pads 69 are preferably relatively easily removable from
the support plates 68 to facilitate modification of the clamp pads
69 by the user if necessary to accommodate a particular body panel
design.
Opposed clamp pads 69 on sliding arms 52 and 53 of each clamping
assembly 13 and 14 are slidably advanceable toward and away from
each other to provide a clamping function.
An alternative embodiment of the present invention is shown in FIG.
9. In the alternative embodiment, only one side of each clamping
assembly is adjustable. The clamping assembly 80 includes a fixed
bar 81 secured medially and on an inner surface to a pivotal
support shaft 82. A fixed clamping member 84 is secured to a first
end 85 of the fixed bar 81. A slidable arm 87 is slidably secured
to the fixed bar 81 for slidable movement relative to a second end
88 of the fixed bar. A movable clamping member 90 is secured to a
distal end of the slidable arm 87 so as to be slidably advanceable
toward and away from the fixed clamping member 84.
It is foreseen that other means could be utilized for providing the
clamping function provided by clamping assemblies 13 and 14 or
clamping assembly 80. Further it is foreseen that a wide range of
means could be utilized for engaging the automobile body panel
edges 4 for securing the body panel 2 to the stand.
The pivot assembly 12 permits the angle at which the body panel 2
is supported to be adjustable to facilitate repair thereof and make
certain surfaces or areas of the panel 2 more accessible or more
comfortable to reach. It is foreseen that a wide range of means
could be utilized for fixing the rotational orientation of the
support shaft 41 relative to outer sleeve 40. For example, it is
foreseeable that a clamping system similar to that disclosed for
fixing the vertical alignment of the outer and inner support tubes
27 and 28 could utilized for fixing the rotational orientation of
the support shaft 41 relative to outer sleeve 40.
Similarly, it is foreseen that a wide range of means could be
utilized for fixing the degree to which the inner support tube 28
is extended relative to the outer support tube 27. It is also
foreseen that means other than the tube in tube telescoping
configuration disclosed could be utilized to permit height
adjustability of the stand 1.
It is to be understood that while certain forms of the present
invention have been illustrated and described herein, it is not to
be limited to the specific forms or arrangement of parts described
and shown.
* * * * *